People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (2024)

Table of Contents

Recipes are great guides, but there are often unwritten ingredients that take food to a whole new level. So I rounded up a bunch of "secret flavor weapons" from the BuzzFeed Community and from the subreddit r/cooking. Here are the ingredients that readers swear by when it comes to upgrading their home cooking. 1. "In my family mashed potato recipe, we use mayonnaise. A dollop makes the potatoes super creamy (and I promise you can't taste the mayo)." 2. "I add something sharp and briny like pickle juice to tuna or chicken salad. It gives it just the right amount of tartness." 3. "I use a little almond extract in all my baked goods (especially French toast) and a little espresso powder in anything chocolate. It's the perfect nutty or bitter complement to the sweetness." 4. "Fish sauce can go in almost anything savory. That stuff is pure magic. If you're making vegetables, meat, chilis, or even a sauce, a dash or two gives you more of that salty, meaty, savory flavor." 5. "I add mashed anchovies or anchovy paste to pretty much all salad dressings, pasta sauces, and gravies. It really adds that extra salty, umami flavor. No one can ever identify the taste, and they always love it!" " 6. "I buy Costco cashew clusters (or any candied nut clusters) and use the crumbs at the bottom of the bag as part of my dough when baking homemade cookies. People always go crazy for them." 7. "I put cinnamon into basically every Mexican-inspired dish I make. Tacos, enchiladas, beans. I even sprinkle it in quesadillas sometimes. It works really well with all the other spices you usually end up using in those dishes like chile powder and cumin." 8. "Pro tip: Put a bit of mayonnaise in chocolate cake. Once you realize that mayo is mostly eggs and oil, it's not so hard to believe why it tastes so good." 9. "I put mustard in mac 'n' cheese. Unless you use a huge amount, it isn't noticeable. It just adds a little bit of zest and depth of flavor. Many recipes for baked mac and cheese suggest adding a little Dijon mustard, but I've used whole grain, and it's still been delicious." 10. "If I'm making a dish that could benefit from a smoky, bacon-y flavor (think: roasted Brussels sprouts, pan-seared sea scallops, potatoes, or corn chowder) but I either don’t have or want to use bacon, I always use smoked paprika." 11. "I always have miso paste in my fridge, and I put it in anything that it will dissolve in — like pasta sauces, stews, gravies, marinades, and more. I love the extra punch of umami it brings to any dish." 12. "I always add chicken stock cubes like Better Than Boullion to water when I'm boiling it for pasta (or other grains like quinoa, rice, etc). It doubles the tastiness of the pasta and sauce, giving it that much-needed umami flavor." 13. "I keep Parmesan rinds in my freezer and use them to make stock, sauces, and stews. I just throw it in after everything else to simmer. It makes a remarkable difference, especially in tomato sauces." 14. "Whenever I'm baking using boxed cake mix, I use softened butter in place of vegetable oil. It gives the cake a softer, more moist texture." 15. "Whenever I bake something with chocolate, like brownies, I always add a little bit of coffee. It makes all the difference and actually brings out the rich, fudgy chocolate flavor even more." 16. "Tajín seasoning is my secret weapon. It's a spice mixture of dried chiles and dehydrated lime juice. It goes well in most any Mexican-inspired recipes, but it's unexpectedly delicious on fruit like pineapple or mango. Oh, and I highly recommend trying it on grilled corn on the cob." 17. "I use chicken- or beef-flavored ramen seasoning packets to make my gravy for mashed potatoes. It packs so much flavor." 18. "I add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to savory dishes like stews, meat lasagna, Bolognese sauce, and more. I just use a dash (which is not enough for the flavors of the spices to be perceptible), but it imparts an amazing depth of flavor." 19. "I add lard to my pie crust. All my pie crust, whether it's for a savory dish (like a quiche or galette) or a sweet dessert. That extra bit of fat makes it all the more delicious." 20. "I use vinegar as a secret ingredient in soups and stews. If something is too salty, a splash of vinegar will make it taste balanced. If you over-salted and think you've ruined your whole meal, take a deep breath and reach for the vinegar." 21. "I add lemon zest to garlic butter. It's amazing on anything from chicken to pasta, but specifically for garlic bread it's an absolute game changer. Even if you use just a little bit, you can taste a major difference." 22. "I add a good shake of paprika to my egg salad whenever i make it. It tastes like deviled eggs on a sandwich, and it's beyond delicious." 23. "I add a spoonful of cottage cheese to my eggs before scrambling them. I know it sounds strange, but you can't even taste it. The cottage cheese just makes the eggs perfectly fluffy." 24. "Instead of milk, I use full fat vanilla or plain yogurt in my bathing mixture for French toast. It turns out perfectly every time." 25. "Whenever I make chili, I always add dark cocoa powder, cinnamon, and coffee. It makes a huge difference in flavor." 26. "Add a splash of orange juice to pumpkin or banana bread. The acidity really adds some brightness against the spices. I use this same ingredient hack when making carrot cake and zucchini bread, too." 27. "Rice vinegar. If a recipe calls for soy sauce, I also always add rice vinegar to complement it — even if it's not called for in the ingredient list. It adds the perfect amount of acidity, and I swear, it takes dishes like fried rice to the next level." 28. "I mix melted butter and soy sauce together and use it as a sauce. It's one of my favorite flavor combinations. It's excellent in just about anything savory, but my favorite use is for sautéed mushrooms." 29. "Soy sauce. I add it to pretty much anything savory like tomato sauce for pasta, chili con carne, and even mushroom risotto." 30. "Try using fish sauce in homemade Caesar salad. I had the best Caesar salad at a friend's house, and she revealed her secret is using fish sauce instead of anchovies. I was floored and jealous I didn't think of it first, but now I've adopted this flavor hack as my own." 31. "Toss cooked noodles into toasted sesame oil after they’ve drained. All you need is a tiny bit, but it takes them to another level." 32. "I love cooking with toasted sesame seeds. If you're making soup, stew, or broth, try sautéing a handful of sesame seeds and running them through the food processor with a bit of your cooking base. It adds a deep, rich, and nutty flavor." 33. "I swap in coconut milk for anything that could normally be boiled in water. I'm talking lentils, rice, quinoa, farro, etc. It makes the grains taste so much richer." 34. "Sumac is my go-to ingredient, and I add it to tons of dishes right before serving. It's ever-so-slightly sour, savory, and herbaceous, and it really helps brighten dishes. It adds a similar element to food as does a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 35. "Kaffir lime leaves. It imparts big, powerful lime flavor without having to keep fresh limes on hand all the time. Try adding it to curry or really any recipe that calls for coconut milk." 36. "Mushroom powder is my go-to. It's so underrated. I actually don't love mushrooms in general, but porchini powder adds the perfect understated oomph to whatever savory dish you're cooking. So, what's your secret ingredient or go-to flavor booster that you love using in your home cooking? Tell us in the comments! FAQs References

Posted on Mar 24, 2022

"I put cinnamon into basically every Mexican-inspired dish I make: tacos, enchiladas, beans. I even sprinkle it in quesadillas sometimes."

by Hannah LoewentheilBuzzFeed Staff

Recipes are great guides, but there are often unwritten ingredients that take food to a whole new level. So I rounded up a bunch of "secret flavor weapons" from the BuzzFeed Community and from the subreddit r/cooking. Here are the ingredients that readers swear by when it comes to upgrading their home cooking.

1. "In my family mashed potato recipe, we use mayonnaise. A dollop makes the potatoes super creamy (and I promise you can't taste the mayo)."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (3)

2. "I add something sharp and briny like pickle juice to tuna or chicken salad. It gives it just the right amount of tartness."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (4)

3. "I use a little almond extract in all my baked goods (especially French toast) and a little espresso powder in anything chocolate. It's the perfect nutty or bitter complement to the sweetness."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (5)

4. "Fish sauce can go in almost anything savory. That stuff is pure magic. If you're making vegetables, meat, chilis, or even a sauce, a dash or two gives you more of that salty, meaty, savory flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (6)

5. "I add mashed anchovies or anchovy paste to pretty much all salad dressings, pasta sauces, and gravies. It really adds that extra salty, umami flavor. No one can ever identify the taste, and they always love it!" "

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (7)

6. "I buy Costco cashew clusters (or any candied nut clusters) and use the crumbs at the bottom of the bag as part of my dough when baking homemade cookies. People always go crazy for them."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (8)

7. "I put cinnamon into basically every Mexican-inspired dish I make. Tacos, enchiladas, beans. I even sprinkle it in quesadillas sometimes. It works really well with all the other spices you usually end up using in those dishes like chile powder and cumin."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (9)

8. "Pro tip: Put a bit of mayonnaise in chocolate cake. Once you realize that mayo is mostly eggs and oil, it's not so hard to believe why it tastes so good."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (10)

9. "I put mustard in mac 'n' cheese. Unless you use a huge amount, it isn't noticeable. It just adds a little bit of zest and depth of flavor. Many recipes for baked mac and cheese suggest adding a little Dijon mustard, but I've used whole grain, and it's still been delicious."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (11)

10. "If I'm making a dish that could benefit from a smoky, bacon-y flavor (think: roasted Brussels sprouts, pan-seared sea scallops, potatoes, or corn chowder) but I either don’t have or want to use bacon, I always use smoked paprika."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (12)

11. "I always have miso paste in my fridge, and I put it in anything that it will dissolve in — like pasta sauces, stews, gravies, marinades, and more. I love the extra punch of umami it brings to any dish."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (13)

12. "I always add chicken stock cubes like Better Than Boullion to water when I'm boiling it for pasta (or other grains like quinoa, rice, etc). It doubles the tastiness of the pasta and sauce, giving it that much-needed umami flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (14)

13. "I keep Parmesan rinds in my freezer and use them to make stock, sauces, and stews. I just throw it in after everything else to simmer. It makes a remarkable difference, especially in tomato sauces."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (15)

14. "Whenever I'm baking using boxed cake mix, I use softened butter in place of vegetable oil. It gives the cake a softer, more moist texture."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (16)

15. "Whenever I bake something with chocolate, like brownies, I always add a little bit of coffee. It makes all the difference and actually brings out the rich, fudgy chocolate flavor even more."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (17)

16. "Tajín seasoning is my secret weapon. It's a spice mixture of dried chiles and dehydrated lime juice. It goes well in most any Mexican-inspired recipes, but it's unexpectedly delicious on fruit like pineapple or mango. Oh, and I highly recommend trying it on grilled corn on the cob."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (18)

17. "I use chicken- or beef-flavored ramen seasoning packets to make my gravy for mashed potatoes. It packs so much flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (19)

18. "I add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to savory dishes like stews, meat lasagna, Bolognese sauce, and more. I just use a dash (which is not enough for the flavors of the spices to be perceptible), but it imparts an amazing depth of flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (20)

19. "I add lard to my pie crust. All my pie crust, whether it's for a savory dish (like a quiche or galette) or a sweet dessert. That extra bit of fat makes it all the more delicious."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (21)

20. "I use vinegar as a secret ingredient in soups and stews. If something is too salty, a splash of vinegar will make it taste balanced. If you over-salted and think you've ruined your whole meal, take a deep breath and reach for the vinegar."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (22)

21. "I add lemon zest to garlic butter. It's amazing on anything from chicken to pasta, but specifically for garlic bread it's an absolute game changer. Even if you use just a little bit, you can taste a major difference."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (23)

22. "I add a good shake of paprika to my egg salad whenever i make it. It tastes like deviled eggs on a sandwich, and it's beyond delicious."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (24)

23. "I add a spoonful of cottage cheese to my eggs before scrambling them. I know it sounds strange, but you can't even taste it. The cottage cheese just makes the eggs perfectly fluffy."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (25)

24. "Instead of milk, I use full fat vanilla or plain yogurt in my bathing mixture for French toast. It turns out perfectly every time."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (26)

25. "Whenever I make chili, I always add dark cocoa powder, cinnamon, and coffee. It makes a huge difference in flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (27)

26. "Add a splash of orange juice to pumpkin or banana bread. The acidity really adds some brightness against the spices. I use this same ingredient hack when making carrot cake and zucchini bread, too."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (28)

27. "Rice vinegar. If a recipe calls for soy sauce, I also always add rice vinegar to complement it — even if it's not called for in the ingredient list. It adds the perfect amount of acidity, and I swear, it takes dishes like fried rice to the next level."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (29)

28. "I mix melted butter and soy sauce together and use it as a sauce. It's one of my favorite flavor combinations. It's excellent in just about anything savory, but my favorite use is for sautéed mushrooms."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (30)

29. "Soy sauce. I add it to pretty much anything savory like tomato sauce for pasta, chili con carne, and even mushroom risotto."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (31)

30. "Try using fish sauce in homemade Caesar salad. I had the best Caesar salad at a friend's house, and she revealed her secret is using fish sauce instead of anchovies. I was floored and jealous I didn't think of it first, but now I've adopted this flavor hack as my own."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (32)

31. "Toss cooked noodles into toasted sesame oil after they’ve drained. All you need is a tiny bit, but it takes them to another level."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (33)

32. "I love cooking with toasted sesame seeds. If you're making soup, stew, or broth, try sautéing a handful of sesame seeds and running them through the food processor with a bit of your cooking base. It adds a deep, rich, and nutty flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (34)

33. "I swap in coconut milk for anything that could normally be boiled in water. I'm talking lentils, rice, quinoa, farro, etc. It makes the grains taste so much richer."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (35)

34. "Sumac is my go-to ingredient, and I add it to tons of dishes right before serving. It's ever-so-slightly sour, savory, and herbaceous, and it really helps brighten dishes. It adds a similar element to food as does a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (36)

35. "Kaffir lime leaves. It imparts big, powerful lime flavor without having to keep fresh limes on hand all the time. Try adding it to curry or really any recipe that calls for coconut milk."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (37)

36. "Mushroom powder is my go-to. It's so underrated. I actually don't love mushrooms in general, but porchini powder adds the perfect understated oomph to whatever savory dish you're cooking.

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (38)

So, what's your secret ingredient or go-to flavor booster that you love using in your home cooking? Tell us in the comments!

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (2024)

FAQs

Should I share my secret recipe? ›

Sharing your secret recipes can be a great way to bond with your family, friends, and strangers. When you share a secret recipe, you are giving someone something special and unique that will make them feel like they are an essential part of your life.

Explore More ›

Is it legal to have a secret ingredient? ›

Secret ingredients are normally not patented because that would result in publication, but they are protected by trade secret laws. Employees who need access to the secret are usually required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Learn More Now ›

What's a good secret ingredient? ›

These are some of the best ones.

" Tarragon. I use a tiny amount of it whenever I make fries, whether they're frozen or homemade. ...
" Adding some kind of sugar to savory dishes. ...
" Shallots. ...
" Instant mashed potatoes. ...
" Cardamom. ...
" Cayenne pepper. ...
" Salt alternatives. ...
" Cinnamon.

More items...

Jul 2, 2022

Know More ›

What is the secret ingredient that brings out flavor? ›

ACID - One must have acid in nearly every dish to make the flavors come alive. My favorites are balsamic vinegar, tamari, fish sauce, or fresh lemon. It depends on what you are cooking, but acid should always be in whatever dish you make. Leftover wine works great too.

Explore More ›

What are the benefits of sharing secrets? ›

Thus, sharing a personal secret seems to promote trust and intimacy for both the secret-sharer and recipient. Furthermore, these benefits may be augmented by the relatively exclusive nature of secret-sharing.

Read On ›

Why is it good to share a secret? ›

Benefits of sharing secrets: Relieve stress and emotional burden: Sharing a secret can relieve the stress and emotional burden that comes with keeping it to oneself. Improve relationships: Sharing a secret can deepen relationships by fostering trust and creating a sense of intimacy.

Tell Me More ›

What law protects secret recipes? ›

(An unpublished recipe can be protected under trade secret law, but that means all the chefs using it would have to sign nondisclosure agreements or noncompetition agreements, which are not always enforceable). A collection of recipes, as in a cookbook, can be protected.

Learn More Now ›

Can you sue someone for stealing a recipe? ›

You don't need to sue for recipe rights, as recipes are just lists of ingredients and instructions which lack sufficient originality so they aren't entitled to copyright protection https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ33.pdf. Recipes also aren't likely to be trade secrets.

Discover More ›

Is it illegal to put love as an ingredient? ›

"Ingredients required to be declared on the label or labeling of food must be listed by their common or usual name ... 'Love' is not a common or usual name of an ingredient, and is considered to be intervening material because it is not part of the common or usual name of the ingredient."

Where does secret recipe come from? ›

Secret Recipe Cakes and Café Sdn Bhd (doing business as Secret Recipe) is a Malaysian halal-certified café chain company established since 1997. It has international branches in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Maldives and Bangladesh.

View Details ›

What is your best baking secret? ›

Combine ingredients as gently as possible without overmixing. Creamed butter and sugar should be pale and fluffy, never yellow and gritty. Butter temperature is a vital detail that should not be overlooked. Don't open the oven door until goods are done baking.